Relation Between Union and State Government in India
The relationship between India's Union (Central) and State governments is foundational to its
federal structure, delineating powers and responsibilities to ensure both national unity and regional
autonomy. This relationship is primarily categorized into three domains: Legislative Relations,
Administrative Relations, and Financial Relations.
1. Legislative Relations
The Constitution specifies the distribution of legislative powers between the Union and State
legislatures through three distinct lists in the Seventh Schedule:
- Union List: Subjects under exclusive parliamentary jurisdiction, such as defense, foreign affairs,
and atomic energy.
- State List: Subjects under exclusive state legislative authority, including police, public health,
and agriculture.
- Concurrent List: Subjects where both Parliament and state legislatures can legislate, like education
and criminal law; however, in case of conflict, Union law prevails.
Additionally, residuary powers, or subjects not enumerated in any list, rest with the Union
Parliament.
During a national emergency, Parliament gains the authority to legislate on matters within the State
List.
2. Administrative Relations
The Constitution outlines the administrative functions and interactions between the Union and State
governments:
- Direction and Control: States are obligated to comply with Union laws, and the Union can issue
directives to states to ensure compliance with parliamentary laws.
- Delegation of Functions: The Union government can delegate functions to the states, and vice
versa,
to promote administrative efficiency.
- All-India Services: Services like the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service
(IPS) are common to both the Union and States, ensuring uniform standards in administration.
In situations where a state's constitutional machinery fails, the President can impose President's
Rule
under Article 356, allowing the Union to assume control over the state's administration.
3. Financial Relations
Financial interactions between the Union and State governments are crucial for resource
distribution:
- Taxation Powers: The Constitution delineates taxation authority, granting the Union the power to
levy
taxes like income tax and customs duties, while states can impose taxes such as those on land
and
agriculture.
- Revenue Sharing: Certain Union taxes are shared with states based on recommendations from the
Finance Commission, established every five years to ensure equitable distribution.
- Grants-in-Aid: The Union provides financial assistance to states, especially those facing revenue
deficits, to ensure balanced development across regions.
Evolving Dynamics and Challenges
Over time, Centre-State relations in India have evolved, influenced by political, economic, and social
factors:
- Political Dynamics: The rise of regional parties has led to coalition governments at the Centre,
necessitating more collaborative federalism.
- Economic Policies: Economic liberalization and initiatives like the Goods and Services Tax (GST)
have
redefined financial relations, emphasizing cooperative fiscal federalism.
- Judicial Interventions: Landmark judgments, such as the S.R. Bommai case, have reinforced the
principles
of federalism by limiting the arbitrary use of Article 356.
Despite these frameworks, challenges persist, including debates over resource allocation,
administrative
overreach, and political centralization. Continuous dialogue and institutional mechanisms are
essential to
address these issues and strengthen India's federal structure.
